IRAQ: One of five judges in Saddam Hussein's trial has stepped down because a co-defendant in the case has been linked to the murder of his brother, court officials said yesterday.
The trial of the deposed Iraqi leader and seven others on charges of crimes against humanity is due to resume today after two adjournments since it opened on October 19th.
However, a US official close to the US-funded court said an unidentified judge had removed himself from the case on the eve of the trial's resumption.
The official said the judge had discovered documents linking one of Saddam's co-defendants to the killing of his brother several years ago and decided to stand aside because of a potential conflict of interest.
Another judge was ready to take his place and the changes would be announced when the court reconvened today, the official said.
Judge Raid Jouhi, spokesman for the Iraqi special tribunal trying Saddam and his co-accused, confirmed that one of the judges would be replaced because of a conflict of interest. He said there would be no delay in the trial.
Only the chief judge has agreed to be identified and have his face shown in coverage of the trial, with the identities of the other four remaining secret for security reasons.
Up to five witnesses are due to testify when the trial resumes today as the prosecution pushes ahead with a case that has aroused increasing local and international criticism.
At the second session on November 28th, proceedings were adjourned for a week to give two of the eight defendants time to find new lawyers after two members of the defence team were assassinated and another fled the country in fear. Hearings lasted for only about three hours at each of the first two sittings.